Gate latch



April 23, 1957 c, HUGHES 2,789,849

Filed Nov. 1, 1955 a /a 8 8 L x aw 7 $35; 6 I //////A Fig.5

/7 I I 26 J Clyde A. Hu he INVENTOR.

United States Patent GATE LATCH Clyde A. Hughes, Odessa, Tex.

Application November 1, 1955, Serial No. 544,296

2 Claims. (Cl. 292-57) The present invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in latches particularly for yard and playground gates andhas for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter setforth, a latch of this character which cannot or at least is unlikely tobe opened by small children.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a latch ofthe aforementioned character which will automatically and positivelylock the gate when it is closed.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a gatelatch of the character described comprising a slidable, gravityprojected, manually retracted or lifted bolt, together with novelgravity actuated means for automatically securing said bolt in retractedposition.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a gate latch of thecharacter set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction,strong, durable, compact, reliable and which may be manufactured andinstalled at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a gate latch constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section substantially similarto Figure 3 but showing the vertically slidable bolt in raised orretracted position.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises asubstantially U-shaped horizontal housing of suitable metal which isdesignated generally by reference character 6. The bight portion of thehousing 6 has formed therein a vertical slot or channel 7 providingfurcations 8. The furcations 8 have formed therein openings or bores 9for the reception of countersunk screws 10 for firmly securing thehousing 6 in position on a gate post 11.

Rising from the upper leg 12 of the substantially U- shaped housing 6 isa substantially rectangular, integral post 13 having formed therein avertical bore or passage 14 in which a bolt 15 is slidable. At its lowerend, the bolt 15 terminates in a rounded head 16 which limits the upwardsliding movement of said bolt. The lower leg 17 of the housing 16 hasformed therein an opening or bore 18 which is aligned with the bore 14for the reception of the headed lower end portion 16 of the bolt 15.

A handle 19 in the form of a horizontally elongated loop is provided onthe upper end of the bolt 15. The

I 2,789,849 -Patented 1 spr..-23 195.'7

handle 19 has formed therein an opening 20 in which a cord or rope maybe anchored. to facilitatelifting the bolt 15 to raisedorretractedposition fromtheOPPOsite side of the gate. 'The lower portionof the bolt 15 is provided with an opening 21 for the reception'ofasuitable padlock for securing said bolt in lowered or projectedposition as seen in Figure 4 of the drawing, when desired. Mounted forvertical sliding movement on the post 13 is a metallic plate 22 havingformed therein a cam slot 23, said slot being arcuate with one andfurther from the axis of rotation of the bolt 15 than the other end ofsaid slot. Depending from one end of the handle 19 is a finger or thelike 24. With the plate 22 in raised position as seen in Figure 1 of thedrawing, the finger 24 is engageable in the cam slot 23 for frictionallysecuring the bolt 15 in lowered or projected position upon rotation ofsaid bolt in the bore 14.

An angular metallic dog 25 has one end portion pivotally secured, as at26, in the lower portion of the slot 7 between the furcations 8 of thehousing 6. The dog 25 is provided, on its free end, with a head 27 whichis engageable beneath the rounded head 16 of the bolt 15 for releasablysecuring said bolt in raised or retracted position. When in operativeposition beneath the bolt 15, the dog 25 rests on the wall portion 23 ofthe leg 17 of the housing 6.

The recess or chamber 29 defined by the legs 12 and 17 of the housing 6is for the reception of an angular striker 30 which is mounted on thefree end portion of the gate, as indicated at 31. One end portion of thestriker 30 is provided with spaced openings 32 which accommodatesecuring bolts 33. At its free end, the striker 30 terminates in aT-head 34.

It is thought that the operation of the latch will be readily apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing.

Briefly, when the gate 31 is in open position, the bolt 15 is manuallyraised to retracted or inoperative position. When the bolt 15 is thuselevated the dog 25 swings by gravity therebeneath and is arrested bythe portion 28 of the housing 6. The bolt 15 now rests by gravity on thedog 25. This is shown in Figure 5 of the drawing. When the gate 31 isswung to closed position, the striker 30 enters the recess or chamber 29in the housing 6 and swings the dog 25 upwardly, thereby disengagingsaid dog from beneath the bolt 15. When thus released, the bolt 15 dropsby gravity into the bore 18 for positively retaining the striker 30 inthe housing 6. To frictiona-lly lock the bolt 15 in projected oroperative position, the plate 22 is elevated on the post 13 and thefinger 24 is engaged in the cam slot 23. Through the medium of thehandle 19, the bolt 15 is then rotated for frictionally binding thefinger 24 in the cam slot 23. To positively secure the bolt 15 inlowered or operative position, a padlock may be inserted in the opening21.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A gate latch of the character described comprising: a housing, a postextending from said housing, a gravity projected bolt rotatably andslidably mounted in said housing and said post, and means forfrictionally securing the bolt in a projected position, said meansincluding a plate slidable on the post and having a cam slot therein,and a finger on the bolt engageable in the slot for binding contact withthe plate upon rotation of the bolt.

2. A gate latch of the character described comprising: a horizontalhousing for the receipt of a striker, a gravity actuated retaining boltfor the striker rotatably and slidably mounted in the housing, and meansfor securing said bolt in a projected position, said means including aplate slidable on the housing and having a cam slot therein, and amember on the bolt engageable in the cam slot for frictional retentionby the plate upon rotation of said bolt.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

